Wildlife Disease News Digest

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Increase in Leptospirosis Disease in Sea Lions
ScienceDaily - www.sciencedaily.com (Source: Marine Mammal Center)
22 Oct 2008
Image courtesy of The Marine Mammal Center
Area: California, United States

The Marine Mammal Center is seeing a large number of leptospirosis cases in California sea lions this year and is leading a study to determine when and why the sea lions contract this disease. Every four to five years, the Center sees a surge in the number of sea lions admitted as a result of this bacterial infection that affects the kidneys and can be lethal for patients. The current research will focus on the factors contributing to these cycles of disease so that scientists will have an understanding of how the disease spreads and what the risks are to sea lions and other animals. Recently, the Center began taking blood samples, tagging, and releasing wild juvenile California sea lions in the Bay Area as part of the new research study.

>>>FULL ARTICLE

Why are coral reefs in peril and what is being done to protect them?
USGS CoreFacts - www.usgs.gov/podcasts/corefacts
22 Oct 2008

Coral reefs can be damaged by natural processes, such as storms, but they are increasingly at risk from human activities. Oil spills and pollutants can threaten entire reefs. Excessive nutrients from land sources, such as sewage and agricultural fertilizers, promote the growth of algae that can smother corals. Other organisms harmful to corals, such as crown-of-thorns starfish, multiply when the species that prey on them are removed.

>>>FULL ARTICLE AND AUDIO

Reported Wildlife Mortality Events to the USGS National Wildlife Health Center Updated
USGS National Wildlife Health Center
23 Oct 2008
Area: United States

USGS and a network of partners across the country work on documenting wildlife mortality events in order to provide timely and accurate information on locations, species and causes of death. This information was updated on Oct 21, 2008 on the USGS National Wildlife Health Center web page, New and Ongoing Wildlife Mortality Events Nationwide. Quarterly Mortality Reports are also available from this page. These reports go back to 1995.

>>> Updated Wildlife Mortality Event Table

‘Disease’ kills rhino
The Telegraph - www.telegraphindia.com
22 Oct 2008
Area: Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, Gawahati Assam, India - Map It

It is not just poaching that is haunting the Pobitora wildlife sanctuary of late. Apparently, a “mysterious” disease is believed to have struck the sanctuary, already claiming a rhino calf. Officials said that the one-and-a-half year-old calf died about a fortnight ago while another is battling for life. The latter has started showing similar symptoms of paralysis of the posterior, fever, loss of appetite and weakness. Park ranger N. Tamuli said the ailing calf was found on the bank of a waterbody last evening along with its mother.

>>>FULL ARTICLE

IDNR participating in avian influenza surveillance
Daily Ledger - www.cantondailyledger.com
21 Oct 2008
Area: Illinois, United States

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) again this fall is participating in the national surveillance effort for highly pathogenic avian influenza by collecting samples from hunter-harvested ducks during the upcoming Illinois waterfowl hunting season. Illinois receives funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to participate in the sampling for highly-pathogenic (HP) Asian H5N1 avian influenza in wild birds. To date, the disease has not been detected in North America. “We appreciate the support of hunters in helping us collect samples from ducks they take this fall,” said John Buhnerkempe, chief of the IDNR Division of Wildlife Resources. “Early detection is a key in the effort to combat the avian influenza virus, and the sampling and testing will provide us with important information about the spread of the disease.”

>>>FULL ARTICLE

Related News
>>>Birdflu pushed back, pandemic threat remains: UN

OTHER WILDLIFE HEALTH RELATED NEWS
Image courtesy of Eric Hosking/Corbis